MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered his Cabinet to streamline the resolution of land conversion cases and fast-track procedures to curb corruption, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said. “The President wants to get rid of corruption in land conversion cases, and he understands how delays in processing can be equated with corruption. As of 2018, at least 140 conversion cases remain pending with the agrarian reform department. “At present, classification and conversion of land from agriculture to other uses are handled by the DA and DAR, respectively, using criteria and regulations specific to these departments. The results of the new procedures will be reported to the President in the next few weeks,” the Palace official added.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 31, 2019 02:48 UTC